"Social" ecumenism” “

“Sozialwort” is a joint project of the fourteen Christian churches that form part of the Austrian Ecumenical Council: a body aimed at monitoring, for the first time in a unified manner, the activities performed in Austria by Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox and Eastern Church organizations in the social field. For an update on the progress of the project we interviewed Paul Schroffner of the “Katholische Sozialakademie Österreich”, an organization of the Austrian Catholic Church responsible for monitoring developments in the political and educational fields. When is the final joint document of the Austrian Ecumenical Council expected to appear? “It’s not possible to predict when it will see the light of day. We are still in the planning phase and much depends too on political developments in Austria. It’s difficult to speak to public opinion about social projects at a time when the political situation raises the possibility of general elections in the autumn. Moreover, we must take account of the needs of the authorities of the individual Churches. The document must be discussed in detail, and for that time is needed”. How is the project being financed? “The funds are appropriated through a complex structure. Basic funding is provided by the Austrian Episcopal Conference, to which should be added the contributions of the Churches that form part of the Ecumenical Council. Another source of financial support consists in the production and sale of the ‘Report on social engagement’. There are also sponsors who have helped to cover costs and contributions by private donors”. What results have been achieved thanks to the project? “The objectives achieved are numerous; in the first place, the consciousness acquired by the Austrian Church of how varied is the ecumenical world. I’m thinking for example of the Orthodox and Eastern Churches and all their variety. Abroad, we have succeeded in giving visibility to the great contribution that the Churches are making in the social sector for the common well-being of man. We have done so not only to show the results we have obtained but also to motivate our joint action still further; to promote knowledge of what we are doing and inform the ecclesiastical authorities, and also the State, of what we still need, if we are to continue to provide these services”. Mercede Succa